Work-Placement and business support
- 16 December 2010 20:1685045As of you may have read in today's Dover Express, I am now working for Shepway Chamber of Commerce who have opened an office in Dover - at the old Royal Mail Sorting Office opposite Morrisons.
I have created a letter of introduction for businesses who would like more information on the work-placements.
It is probably the most exciting initiative to hit Dover in years and will be so useful to Dover's young people and our businesses.
If there are any business owners looking in who are interested in the scheme, or want to know how I and Shepway Chamber can help them, please email me and I will call you.
Here's that introductary letter.
"An exciting programme to support businesses across Dover has been launched by Channel Chamber of Commerce from its new base in the old Royal Mail Sorting Office in Dover.
Local young people, aged between 18 & 24years - all job seekers, are being offered to local employers for periods of between 4 and 6 months as a valuable additional resource to help businesses and voluntary organizations - for free. They will be contracted to work 25 hours a week; the start and end times of each day will be determined by the employer.
Working in partnership with Kent County Council and local partner LSBC (Learning and Skills for Business and the Community), these work-placements have been made possible through the Government's Future Jobs Fund which the Channel Chamber of Commerce is helping to deliver.
I have been engaged by the Channel Chamber to manage the programme and help to match the businesses with the appropriate young person..
Whilst many of these young people have few skills or work experience they do have the enthusiasm and motivation to prove themselves in the workplace. They will be paid by Channel Chamber of Commerce whilst they are working with the businesses - as I mentioned earlier, at no cost to them: no National Insurance costs, no pension contribution and no complicated paperwork.
Many small businesses are prepared to take on young people but find the selection process difficult, time-consuming and expensive, this work placement programme eliminates these headaches and gives employers the best chance to see these youngsters in action without any obligations or cost.
Towards the end of each work placement, employers will be invited to assess the youngster's ability and aptitude and if appropriate and without any obligation, can decide whether or not, to take them onto their payroll.
Its win-win all round. Businesses in Dover are facing difficult times and should get a real boost from the valuable cost-free resource we are providing; it is also an ideal work-trial opportunity for these young people - the local youngsters get practical work experience and make an important step towards a sustainable job. The Dover community benefits as a whole with a significant number of youngsters in work spending their income in the local shops etc.
If this work placement is of interest to you, please call me on 07712 626245, or email me at rogerwalkden@channelchamber.co.uk
Kind Regards
Roger (Walkden)"
As this progresses, I will be once again supporting Dover Town and giving pro-active support to local businesses.
Roger - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
16 December 2010 20:1985047roger,good luck in this enterpize.
- 16 December 2010 20:2585048Thank you Brian.
Roger - 16 December 2010 20:2785050Congratulations Roger and good luck of course.
- Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
16 December 2010 22:1485069Roger, when I walked past your building at lunchtime after my shift at the shop today there was a very nice smell wafting around outside, made me feel quite hungry.
Good luck.-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
------------------------------------------------------------------- - 17 December 2010 01:3885094What a good idea if only a few can get jobs as a result, it will be worth it.beer the food of the gods
- 17 December 2010 09:0285107They've re-opened up the kitchen there Jan and are training the young people how to cook and be chefs and selling teh food to teh members of staff - the young people who are learning all sorts of skills as well as the older management people.
All sorts or skills are being taught there - you name it, they're being taught it, so businesses will get some of the best youngsters around.
Thanks Tom, yes it hoped that they will get jobs at the end of their work-placements and start apprenticeships - not everyone should/will go to UNI.
I think it's almost a shame that we are on top of Christmas - starting a month ago, this would have been so useful, now we're almost at the holiday time, so many people (businesses) will say come back in the new year.
Roger - 17 December 2010 20:1485224Its great to see something positive being done for the youngsters who want to work and as you say Roger at no cost to the small businesses who take advantage of this scheme.
I know that you will put in at least 110 per cent of your time and expertise into this programme Roger, Well Done. - 18 December 2010 07:5685260Thanks Barry - much appreciated.
I have now called 9 businesses and every one has been very positive about it and will try and find temporary jobs for these young people.
Some of them have very good IT skills so could be useful in building websites for small businesses; others have acquired skills at the centre that may be useful to you and Colette in promoting people advertising on Dover Forum - perhaps ? 25 hours a week is what they're contracted to work and again I emphasise, at no cost to any employer.
Apprenticeships are the goal for many of them and the range of apprenticeships is huge. If anyone knows a trades/craftsmen who could do with a spare pair of hands (or two) please let me know.
I have a list of over 300 businesses to contact, so it's a big job, but so worthwhile - for everyone involved.
Roger - 18 December 2010 10:0585268Roger, nice one! I t is good to see that your talents will not be wasted, and what a great project! Now this is really "putting something back" - good luck and good wishes .
- 18 December 2010 10:3285270Roger,I am about if I can help,as you know I was a welder for about 40years I will come down and do a talk ETC if you wish also about geting a job,as you know I have worked alot over the UK and overseas, you can email me or phone my 07758710889,Anytime I give is free.
- 18 December 2010 10:4185277sounds like this is taking off well, seems like a win/win situtuation for potential employers/employees.
- 18 December 2010 11:4985280Thanks Guys - much appreciated.
Vic, I'll ask on Monday if they need someone to teach welding there - could be very useful - thanks.
Roger - 18 December 2010 12:0385282I can also talk on the best way to get work Etc ,I have done this at schools before,But that is up to yourselfs. .
- 18 December 2010 14:0785287i have had a look at the channel chamber's website, they do look like a go ahead outfit.
- 18 December 2010 14:1685290Good luck in your new venture Roger, hope you get lot`s of support.Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
- 18 December 2010 17:5685316I'm not going to degigrate Dover Chamber of Commerce at all, but yes Howard, the Channel Chamber are very motivated and progressive.
From little acorns.............
Roger - 23 December 2010 12:5586173Hi Roger,
I know a couple of people who might be interested in perhaps some landscaping/gardening work.
Also, perhaps we can have a talk in the New Year, might be interested in someone to help out in the office.
Well done in this new venture, just dont go pinching all our clients
Michelle x - 24 December 2010 08:0986292Thanks Sheli that's great.
These young people are not there to replace existing staff and we won't be pinching anyone -honest Sheli.
I'll talk to you after the break.
Have a good Christmas Sheli, hope you get time to chill-out with a nice glass or two.
Roger - 24 December 2010 08:1586293Roger
Congrats on your new posting.I wish you every success...any vacancies for old buggers like me....
Love to JeanMarek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)